Box for packing lamp shades



Jzdzbf 'areZz'c w /y D J GORELICK BOX FOR PACKING LAMP SHADES Filed Dec. 30, 1940 Nov.3,1942.

latented Nov. 3, 1942 OFFICE BOX FOR PACKING LAMP smears David J. Gorelick, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Sandel Manufacturing Company, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application December 30, 1940, Serial No. 372,368

Claims.

This invention relates to a method and means for packing merchandise, as for storing and shipping, and more particularly to a package whereby a plurality of lamp shades or similar articles may be packed safely and compactly for storage or shipping without possibility of breakage, and a method of utilizing same.

The primary object of this invention is to provide a new and improved package for lamp shades or the like articles in which a plurality of lamp shades will be nested one within the other in a safe and compact manner.

A further object of this invention is to provide a new and improved package for lamp shades or the like in which the lamp shades will be held within an enclosing body and against lateral motion thereof.

A further object of. this invention is to provide a novel and improved package for packing lamp shades in which the lamp shades or similar articles will be prevented from moving either longitudinally or laterally.

A further object of this invention is to provide a novel and improved package for lamp shades in which the lamp shades or similar articles will be supported within an enclosing body nested within one another, but each being suspended by means of its spider.

A further object of this invention is to provide a novel and improved method of packing lamp shades which comprises suspending the lamp shades within an appropriate packing enclosure so that same are spaced from one another and supported by their respective spiders.

A further object of this invention is to provide a novel and improved method for packaging lamp shades which will be simple in its steps and require a minimum of apparatus and labor.

A further object of this invention is to provide a novel and improved package for lamp shades and the like which will provide means whereby the lamp shades are supported within a packing enclosure nested in spaced relation to one another.

A further object of this invention is to provide a novel and improved package for packing lamp shades in which a maximum of lamp shades can be packed into a minimum of space and in a safe and expedient manner.

A further object of this invention is to provide a package for lamp shades which will comprise a minimum of easily formed and assembled parts and which will result in a highly efiicient package.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention of certain novel features of construction, arrangement and combination of parts, procedures, modes and steps of practice hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawing, and particularly pointed out in the appended claims, it being understood that various changes in form, proportion, size and minor details of structure, and in details of procedure of the method may be made without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

For the purpose of facilitating an understanding of my invention, I have illustrated in the accompanying drawing a preferred embodiment of the apparatus thereof from an inspection of which, when considered in connection with the following description, my invention, its mode of construction, assembly, operation and practice, and many of its advantages should be readily understood and appreciated.

Referring to the drawing in which thesame characters of reference are employed to indicate the corresponding or similar parts throughout the several figures of the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a completed package of lamp shades formed in accordance with my invention.

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional View taken generally along the line 2-2 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken along a horizontal plane through the package as indicated by the line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is an elevational view of a member adapted to be used with my invention.

Fig. 5 is an elevational view of another member adapted to be used with my invention;

Generally the invention consists of supporting a plurality of shades by means of their respective spiders, spaced from one another and nested within one another in an appropriate packing enclosure by means of a plurality of columns extending between a pair of opposed faces of said packing enclosure.

Referring to the figures, the reference character l0 designates generally a packing case or carton which is entirely conventional in formation and which consists of four side walls H, I2, l3

and 1.4, and two end walls. The bottom end wall I is designated as l5 and is formed in the same manner as th upper end wall 16, namely by the association of flaps similar to H1, l3, l9 and 26, as shown. The carton is formed a a blanket extending upwards of the. member ,23.

pasteboard and is usually assembled by means of tape 2| or the like appropriately placed adhering to the carton.

Figs. 2 and 3 are sectional views taken through a completely enclosed carton ready for packing or shipping. A cushioning platform or spacer 22 is provided at each end of the carton. Said spacers each consist of a horizontally disposed rectangular member 23 formed of pasteboard or the lik and adapted to fit snugly within the four walls l2, I3, and M- of the carton. The edges of the members 23 are provided with downwardly or upwardly extending flanges, as the case may be, for spacing the members 23 from either the upper end wall it or from th lower end wall |5. The flange-s are designated 2 25, 26 and 27. The fianges of the upper member 23 extend upwards to space that member from the end wall It, while the flanges of the lower member 23 depend downwards for spacing that member from the lower end wall [5.

It should be appreciated that each 'of the members 23 is identical in construction, the only difference between them being in their final disposition within the structure, that is, reversed one from the other.

Each of the members 23 has a plurality of V-shaped slots 28 formed therein for a purpose to be presently described. In the embodiment shown, three of such slots 28 are provided the vertical median axis of each of the Vs being arranged substantially perpendicular to each of three radial lines extending outwardly from the geometric center of the member 23 and spaced 120 apart. the center of the member 23 and generally have the apices at approximately the intersection of their median axes and the above referred to ra- The slots 28 are all equidistant from dial lines. This arrangement will be clearly understood by reference to Fig. 3.

thereof extending downward to contact the inner face of the wall |6,.the remainder thereof The length of such member 29 is identical with the inner dimension of the carton Hi from inner face of end wall Hi to inner face'of end wall l5, so that the finally completed carton will have three columns 29 extending from end wall to end wall and preventing inward movement of said end walls. Obviously, the elongated members 29 are intended to engage with the slots 23 provided in the upper member 23, the upper cushioning spacer 22 being so arranged that the slots 28 thereof will line up with th slots of the lower cushioning member 22.

The member 29 is preferably formed of a rectangular sheet of cardboard, such as shown in Fig. 4, adapted to be folded along the center line 30 thereof to conform to the required shape adapted to engage within the slots 28. The member 29 is provided intermediate its ends with a plurality of transverse slots 3| equally spaced from one another and arranged closer to one end of the member 29 than the other. In assembling the member 29 within the carton, these slots 3| are intended to be C10Ser to the upper end of the carton H].

The type of lamp shade that is intended to'be packed within my new package is generally indicated in the drawing as shown. Each of'the shades designated generally 32 comprises a translucent or otherwise body portion 33 in the form of a truncated conical shape, having a lower wir frame edge 34 and an upper wire frame edge 35. Each of the upper wire frame edges 35 is provided with a three-armed spider 36 having the free ends joined to the upper wire frame edge 35 and the common points joined by means of an annular ring 31. The jointures are formed by soldering, bending, welding, or any other means not material to the invention. However, the spiders 36 are intended to b the means by which the shades 33 are supported upon their respective lamps. Likewise, I utilize the spider 36 of each of theshades 33 as the means whereby the shade may be supported or positioned within the packing carton or enclosure It. In view of this, it is obvious that my invention may be utilized with any type of shade or similar device which is provided with a spider or similar means adapted to slip into the slots 3| as will be presently explained.

In assembling the package, the carton i0 is assembled in the usual manner with the aid of the adhesive tape 2|, the bottom wall i5 being closed, but the upper end wall I6 remaining open with the flaps unsealed. Following this, a cushioning member 22 is'inserted into the carton H] with the depending flanges 24, 25, 26 and 27 extending downwards. This is pushed into position to the lowest point within the carton so that the lower member 23 i spaced from the bottom wall I5. The cushioning platforms 22 may have been preformed or may consist of flat blanked members adapted to be bent to shape as is familiar to those skilled in the carton making art.

Following this, the members 29 are each folded from their flat blank form along the lines 30 to the final V formation and inserted into the slots :28 of the member 23 with the transverse slots members 29 and they form vertically extending columns within the carton.

The nextstep in the assembly of the package consists of placingthe shades 33 in position upon the columns or member 29. The dimensions of the box have been chosen so that each of the walls |2, l3 and M will engage the peripheral edge of the lamp shades 32 and thereby limit lateral movement thereof. The first shade is slipped into the carton and moved downwardly therein with its largest end formed by the wire frame edge 34 going down first. The columns 29 each will pass through one of the spaces formed between the arms of the spider 36, free downward movement of the lamp shade '32 thus being unobstructed. When the lowermost slot 3| of the columns has been reached, the lamp shade is twisted in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 3. In the folding of the member 29 from its flat form to its V formation, the slots 3| become as notches along the-apex of the V-shaped column; hence, each of the arms of the spider 36 will engage into one of these notches 3| and be held therein against transverse movement. As to lateral movement same. is prevented by the walls u, :2, l3 and :4 of the carton. If desired, the height of the notch or' slot 3| which is intended to carry the lowermos t lamp shade of the carton may be chosen of such height'a-bove the platform cushion2 2 -thatthe lowermost edge of said lamp shade 32 rests upon the member 23. If desired otherwise, the notch may be chosen so that the lowermost lamp shade is spaced above the member 23.

In like manner, each of the lamp shades is lowered into the carton l over the columns 29 and twisted into its respective group of notches or slots 3| provided therefor in said columns. The notches are spaced so that each of the lamp shades 32 is spaced above the other and so that none of the bodies 33 contact one another.

The carton I0 may be constructed of any suitable length and to hold as many lamp shades 32 as desired. The illustrated carton is designed to hold eight of such shades. After the eighth shade 32 has been positioned in its respective trio of notches 3|, a cushioning member 22 is inserted thereon and having the flanges 24, 25, 2B and 21 extending upwards so that the member 23 will be spaced from the upper wall I6. After the cushioning spacer 22 is in position, elongated rod members 38, one of which is shown in Fig. 5, is poked down into the triangular spaces formed between each of the spider arms of the respective shades 32 and the apex of the V-shaped member with which same is associated. The members 38 extend the entire length of the carton and each has a bent portion 39 at the upper ends thereof to aid in the manipulation of same. Obviously the purpose of the rod members is to prevent rotative motion of the shades upon the columns 29 to cause same to drop out of their respective notches or slots 31;

With the members 38 finally in place, the flaps ll, l8, l9 and 20 may be fastened in position in the well known manner and the carton or package of lamp shades is complete for packing or shipping. v

It should be apparent that each of the lamp shades 32 is completely suspended within the carton, is protected from injury caused by contact with other lamp shades or any of the packing means, is positively held within the carton and prevented from moving in any direction.

It should also be apparent from the above description that the columns upon which the shades are disposed bear against opposite ends of the carton l8 and thereby act as compression members preventing collapse of the carton as may be possible if a great many of such cartons are piled one atop another.

By my new method and means it is possible to more quickly assemble the package than theretofore possible, and it is more economical since all excelsior, and other protective wadding or packing or paper has been eliminated.

It is believed that my new invention, its mode of construction and assembly, its practice and procedure, and many of its advantages should be readily understood from the foregoing without further description, and it should also be manifest that while a preferred embodiment has been shown and described for illustrative purposes, the structural details and the steps of practice are capable of wide variation within the purview of my invention as defined in the appended claims.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a package for lamp shades, each having radial spider arms, an enclosing body having a pair of opposed end walls, a plurality of elongated columns each extending between said opposed end walls and adapted to pass through the spaces defined by the spider arms of each shade, each of said columns being similarly provided with a plurality of spaced slots, a similarly positioned slot of each of said columns being adapted to engage a spider arm of a single lamp shade and suspend same within said enclosure upon said columns spaced from an end wall thereof.

2. In a package for lamp shades, each having radial spider arms, an enclosing body having a pair of opposed end walls, a plurality of elongated columns each extending between said opposed end walls and adapted topass through the spaces defined by the spider arms of each shade, each of said columns being similarly provided with a plurality of spaced slots, a similarly positioned slot of each of said columns being adapted to engage a spider arm of a single lamp shade and suspend same within said enclosure upon said columns spaced from an end wall thereof, and means for locking said spider arms in said engaged position.

3. In a package for lamp shades, each having radial spider arms, an enclosing body having opposed end walls, a plurality of rigid columns extending between said end walls and adapted to pass between the spaces defined by said spider arms, each of said columns having at least one corner in cross section and presenting same in the same circular direction about said enclosing body, each column being provided with similarly positioned transverse slots spaced therealong, whereby each of said lamp shades may be moved into slots at a single level and be engaged thereby and suspended upon said columns within said enclosing body.

4. In a package for lamp shades, each having radial spider arms, an enclosing body having opposed end walls, a plurality of rigid columns extending between said end walls and adapted to pass between the spaces defined by said spider arms, each of said columns having at least one corner in cross section and presenting same in the same circular direction about said enclosing body, each column being provided with similarly positioned transverse slots spaced th'erealong, whereby each of said lamp shades may be moved into slots at a single level and be engaged thereby and suspended upon said columns within said enclosing body, and means associated with said columns preventing the spider arms for moving out of said slots.

5. In a package for lamp shades, each having radial spider arms, an enclosing body having opposed end walls, a plurality of rigid columns extending between said end walls and adapted to pass between the spaces defined by said spider arms, each of said columns having at least one corner in cross section and presenting same in the same circular direction about said enclosing body, each column being provided with similarly positioned transverse slots spaced therealong, whereby each of said lamp shades may be moved into slots at a single level and, be engaged thereby and suspended upon said columns within said enclosing body, and means associated with said columns preventing the spider arms from moving out of said slots comprising an elongated member passing through each column longitudinally thereof, between the spider arms and the corner of said column.

6. In a package for lamp shades, each having radial spider arms, an enclosing box body having end walls, a cushioning member spaced from each of said end walls and having a plurality of slots therein arranged in a substantially circular formation, a plurality of columns extending between said end walls and each having the opposite end portions thereof engaged in similarly positioned slots of the respective cushioning members, said columns being arranged to extend through the spaces formed between the spider arms of said lamp shades, and each having similarly positioned means spaced therealong for engaging a spider arm whereby a plurality of said lamp shades may be nested within said enclosing body with the respective spiders thereof spaced one from the other.

7. In a package for lamp shades, each having radial spider arms, an enclosing box body having and walls, a cushioning member adjacent each end wall and having means maintaining same in spaced relation to said wall, a plurality of slots circularly arranged in each of said cushioning members, a plurality of rigid columns engaging through said slots and having the opposing ends thereof bearing against the respective end walls, means provided'upon each of said columns intermediate the ends thereof engaging the spider arm of a lamp shade at spaced levels,

whereby a plurality of such shades may be supported from said columns, nested one within the other within said body.

8. In a package for lamp shades, each having radial spider arms, an enclosing box body having end walls, a cushioning member adjacent each end wall and having means maintaining same in spaced relation to said wall, a plurality of slots circularly arranged in each of said cushioning members, a plurality of rigid columns engaging through said slots and having the opposing ends thereof bearing against the respective end walls, means provided upon each of said columns intermediate the ends thereof engaging the spider arm of a lamp shade at spaced levels, whereby a plurality of such shades may be supported from said columns, nested one within the other Within said body, said means including slots within which said spider arms are adapted to be inserted.

9. In a package for lamp shades, each having radial spider arms, an enclosing box body having end walls, a cushioning member adjacent each end wall and having means maintaining same in spaced relation .to said wall, a plurality of slots circularly arranged in each of said cushioning members, a plurality of rigid columns engaging through said slots and having the opposing ends thereof bearing against the respective end walls, means provided upon each of said columns intermediate the-ends thereof engaging the spider of said arms.

10. In a package for lamp shades, each having radial spider arms, an enclosing box body having end walls, a cushioning member adjacent each end wall and having means maintaining same in spaced relation to said wall, a plurality of slots circularly arranged in each of said cushioning members, a plurality of rigid columns engaging through said slots and having the opposing ends thereof bearing against the respective end Walls, means provided upon each of said columns intermediate the ends thereof engaging the spider arm of a lamp shade at spaced levels, whereby a plurality of such shades may be supported from said columns, nested one within the other within said body, said columns each having a substantially V-shaped cross section pointed in substantially the same circular direction, and extending through the spaces between said spider arms and said last mentioned means comprising transverse slots in the apex of each column whereby a shade disposed in the box body may be arranged ad- 'jacent said slots and rotated, moving its spider arms into a slot of each column on any given level.

DAVID J. GORELICK. 

